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It is a great pleasure for me, as state representative for the First Barnstable District, to now represent Precinct 1 in Barnstable. I hope to hear from you when you think I can help with a problem you have, when you agree with me on issues, disagree with me on issues or would simply like me to know your views on an issue the state is dealing with.

As we legislators campaign and talk to people around our districts, we discover that many people are unfamiliar with state government, their legislators and how things work (or don’t work) on the hill. Though almost everyone knew there was redistricting of legislative districts, many people didn’t realize that it not only affected the U.S. congressional districts but also affected the state legislative districts as well. The effect on Barnstable is that Barnstable now has three state representatives. I represent Precinct 1, Randy Hunt represents precincts 11 and 12, Brian Mannal represents the rest of Barnstable.

My approach to this column will be to provide some insights on issues and to throw in some civics lessons. I will provide my views on things I hear or see and will opine on issues you contact me about. I do appreciate hearing your views and opinions realizing, of course, we will disagree on some issues.

This term the legislature will likely deal with issues around gun control, medical marijuana implementation, taxes, and a slew of other issues that will affect your lives. Let’s use this column to have a meaningful conversation. I look forward to the dialog.

My contact information is: Phone 617-722-2090, e-mail:
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, mailing address is: Room 540, State House, Boston, MA 02133. My legislative aide is Carly Fleming. You can cc e-mails to her at
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Contact: 617-722-2090

Legislation in the wake of Newtown

By Rep. Brian Mannal

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I would like to begin this, my first "Life on the Hill" column, by expressing my sincere appreciation to the voters of Barnstable and Yarmouth for providing me with the opportunity to represent the 2nd Barnstable District on Beacon Hill and serve as a member of the 188th Massachusetts General Court.

Since Dec. 14, my wife, Sara, and I have spent a considerable amount of time thinking about and praying for the community of Newtown, Connecticut. In the days and weeks that followed the horrific events at Sandy Hook Elementary School, like many parents across the nation, we grappled with the challenge of explaining an unexplainable tragedy to our children while preparing for the holidays. On a personal level, the Newtown shooting provided me with a somber reminder of the tremendous responsibility that I have as a legislator to help prevent such tragedies from happening, if possible.

To that end, in my first week as state representative, I have met with other legislators on the Hill and discussed various proposals aimed at reducing and/or preventing gun violence in Massachusetts. While some have called for more restrictive firearm laws, others have focused on the need to improve mental health services. To be certain, in the coming weeks and months, the legislature is likely to consider several Bills that will enhance background checks for firearm buyers, restrict and track the movement and sale of certain weapons, increase penalties for gun-related crimes, and improve mental health screening and services throughout the Commonwealth.

Please know that it is my genuine hope and desire to work for the betterment of our community, and that (regardless of politics) my door is open to you as your state representative.

Contact: 617-722-2425

The circumstances of pomp

By Rep. Randy Hunt

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As is the custom, the House of Representatives and Senate members are sworn in on the first Wednesday of the odd year.

Each house sends a committee of its members to the governor’s office to let him know that we are prepared to be sworn in. With great ceremony, the governor enters the chamber and administers an oath that seems like War and Peace compared to the oath that is taken by the President of the United States.

After all of the swearing is over, the Senate appoints a committee to notify the House of Representatives that it is ready to do business. The House of Representatives appoints a committee to notify the Senate that it is ready to do business. Oh, I almost forgot. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate send committees to notify the governor that they are ready to do business.

With that, everyone adjourns and goes to lunch with the expectation that the next time we will meet in a formal session will be several weeks thence. Such is the tradition and the state of affairs on Beacon Hill.

In spite of that, it is a busy time for each of the members of both the Senate and the House. The deadline for filing “timely” legislation is Friday, Jan. 18. Some 5,000 or 6,000 bills will be filed by that date, all of which need to be assigned to a committee to be heard.

Next month, I will share with you my committee assignments and, hopefully, will have read a couple of thousand bills.